– Earth (Sol System, Sector 3-59A)
Westbridge High – Last Day Before Break
The school bell rang, signaling the end of the final exam. Cheers erupted across the halls as students rushed out of their classrooms, eager to start their well-earned break. Three whole weeks of freedom stretched ahead of them, with the first two weeks being an official school holiday.
Rei Kaelson walked at a steady pace, hands tucked into his jacket pockets, listening to the conversations around him.
"Bro, two weeks of pure gaming. I'm not stepping outside my room.""You guys wanna hit the beach? Road trip time!""Man, I'm just glad I won't have to study for a while."
Rei sighed. Unlike them, he didn't have any exciting plans. His mother worked nonstop, and his home was usually empty. Most likely, he'd spend his time binge-watching old sci-fi movies, sketching comic ideas, or maybe going for a few late-night walks.
His phone vibrated in his pocket. He checked the screen and sighed again.
Mom: Won't be home tonight. Big case. I'll make it up to you, okay?
Rei stuffed the phone back into his pocket.
Figures. Even on my birthday.
He kicked a loose pebble as he walked out the school gates, trying to ignore the bitter feeling creeping into his chest.
-At the gate of Rei's home-
Rei paused as he stepped onto his front porch. The house was quiet as always, but the faint scent of vanilla and chocolate drifted through the air.
He pushed the door open and stopped in his tracks.
A small chocolate cake sat on the dining table, with "Happy 18th Birthday" written in neat blue icing. His mother stood behind it, arms crossed, a tired but proud smile on her face.
"Surprise."
Rei blinked.
"Wait… what?"
His mother was never home for things like this. Yet here she was, holding a box of candles in one hand and her phone in the other.
"I know I said I wouldn't make it, but I couldn't just let you turn eighteen without a cake, right?"
Something warm spread in Rei's chest.
"You actually remembered."
"Of course, I did." She chuckled, lighting the candles. "Now, make a wish before I get another work call."
Rei stared at the flickering flames. He hadn't made a birthday wish in years. It always felt pointless. But tonight… maybe just this once.
He took a deep breath, closed his eyes, and thought of one thing.
I wish Dad were here.
A second passed. Then another.
He blew out the candles.
His mother clapped softly, but before they could even cut the cake, her phone buzzed—loud and urgent. Her smile faltered as she checked the screen.
"I'm sorry, sweetheart. I have to go."
Rei knew that look. The I-don't-have-a-choice look.
"It's fine, Mom," he said, forcing a smile. "Go save the world, or whatever lawyers do."
She gave him a quick hug, grabbed her coat, and hurried to the door.
"We'll celebrate properly when I get back."
And just like that, she was gone.
Rei sat alone, staring at the untouched cake.
Happy birthday to me.
-Terrace of Rei's Home-
The night was clear, stars scattered across the vast sky. Rei sat on the terrace, elbows resting on his knees, gazing up at the endless expanse above. The cool wind ruffled his hair, but his thoughts were elsewhere.
Dad… wherever you are…
He never talked about it much, but deep down, the absence of his father left a hole in him. His mother had never explained what happened. One day, he was there. The next, he was gone. No body. No leads. No answers.
His eyes drifted across the sky, and then—
A streak of silver-blue light cut across the darkness.
A shooting star.
He hadn't believed in wishes for a long time, but tonight, something about it felt… different.
I wish… I could see him again.
The star didn't fade.
It grew brighter.
A pulse of energy rippled through the air. The hairs on Rei's arms stood on end. His heart pounded.
Then—
The star exploded into a burst of white light, streaking toward him like a falling comet.
What the hell—
The world lit up.
A sensation like static electricity ran through his veins. His body felt weightless, like he was being pulled upward.
A deafening hum filled the air, drowning out all other sounds. The light swallowed him whole, blinding, suffocating—
And then—
Darkness.
Planet Xyphora (Volaris System, Sector 7-42D)
Unknown Ruined City –
A sharp, metallic whirring sound broke through the silence.
Rei's body ached as he slowly opened his eyes. His vision was blurry, but he could make out the towering remains of buildings stretching into the sky. The air was thick and electric, filled with the scent of metal and burnt ozone.
The sky was wrong—a deep purple expanse with glowing green auroras and two moons hanging in the distance.
His breath caught in his throat.
This wasn't Earth.
A heavy, mechanical thud made him turn his head.
A hulking machine, its red eyes glowing like burning coals, stood a few feet away. Its limbs whirred as it adjusted its stance, scanning him with an eerie precision.
"Biometric scan complete. Unknown entity detected."
Rei's body tensed.
"Threat level—unknown. Extermination initiated."
The machine's arm transformed into a weapon, aimed directly at him.
Panic surged through Rei's veins. His breath hitched. His legs refused to move.
I'm going to die.
Then—
A flash of silver.
A figure dropped from above, landing between Rei and the machine.
A young woman, clad in battle-worn armor. Her hair was short, her emerald eyes sharp and calculating.
She moved in a blur, her spear slicing through the air. A burst of light—
And in an instant, the machine collapsed, sparks flying from its destroyed core.
The woman turned to Rei, eyes narrowed.
"You're not supposed to be here."
Rei swallowed hard.
"…Where is here?"
She studied him for a moment before sighing.